Quiet electromagnetic actuator

An electromagnetic actuator comprises a stator, a piston, and a key. The stator comprises a stator frame having an axial direction, the stator frame in turn comprising a magnetic member and a base. The base is separated by a gap in the axial direction from the magnetic member and positioned so that magnetic flux extending through the magnetic member also extends through the base. The piston is configured to reciprocate within the stator frame in the axial direction. The key is configured and position both to locate the base with respect to the stator frame (and thereby provide the gap) and to absorb energy when the piston strikes the base. A flux transfer flange is configured to concentrate magnetic flux extending through the magnetic member in a radial direction into the base.